Good time to review snow removal, closure procedures

The crews must plow, shovel, scrape and de-ice more than 23 miles of roads, 100 acres of parking, 39 miles of walks, 200,000 square feet of steps and ramps, and hundreds of doorways.

Winter weather rarely results in a decision to close WMU. But when there is a shutdown, news of the decision is posted on the University's home page at wmich.edu and emergency information line at (269) 387-1001. Once these initial notifications have been completed, authorized University employees communicate closure details to local television and radio stations.

Official closure of WMU's main campus means that the University's branch campuses also are closed. However, closure of a branch campus does not automatically mean that the main campus will shut down as well.

Snow removal for streets and parking lots is handled through a contract with Kalamazoo Landscape Supplies. Plow schedules for University personnel and KLS cover snow and ice removal activities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Providing there is not a major storm, most campus areas will be clear of snow and ice before the majority of students and employees arrive each day. It should be noted, though, that freeze and thaw conditions can create special ice management challenges even when it does not snow.

As in past years, various steps around the campus that are deemed to be a convenience rather than a necessity will be closed for the winter, allowing crews to concentrate on major access areas.

Special requests and questions

Students and faculty and staff members who have special mobility needs during the ice and snow season should call WMU's landscape services office at (269) 387-8557, as snow and ice removal schedules can be adjusted to accommodate needs. Those making requests regarding weekend or other special activities also should direct their calls to that office, providing as much advance notice as possible.

Questions or concerns after normal business hours should be directed to the WMU Department of Public Safety at (269) 387-5555.